Topic: 1932 Johnson K-50 cylinder, etc. – Antique Outboard Motor Club,Inc

This topic has 15 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 6 years ago by Buccaneer.

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April 23, 2018 at 8:39 pm #9725
Buccaneer
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US Member
I opened up the power head on the K-50 today, and at first
glance, all is swell. Cylinder bores look nice, as well as
the crank journals, pistons, rings, etc. Crank end play is
better than normal.
Anything in particular to be aware of or check out
on these early Johnsons?
The cylinder bore is still a standard 2-1/8" inch, but
I think the rings are okay, unless I break one decarboning
the ring lands. 😮

What are the two different sized studs (with nuts)
sticking out of the bottom of the cylinder for?

Did the spark arrestor baffles in the cylinder intake
porting cause any problems on these models? If not,
I’ll leave them in place if they’re not falling apart.

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April 23, 2018 at 9:22 pm #74608
garry-in-michigan
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Lifetime Member
The fact that so many are without those flame suppressors is proof that they eventually end up in pieces in the crankcase, often doing damage to the pistons & rings. If you don’t run it often and start it rich enough that it doesn’t backfire, The flame suppressors could last another 75 years. . . 😉
April 23, 2018 at 10:30 pm #74610
Buccaneer
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US Member
Garry, I pulled the flame arrestor baffles out a while ago,
and they looked in great shape…… no signs of rust,
cracking, etc.,
Can’t imagine I’ll put many hours on this engine, so
I guess I’ll put them back in….. hate to have it catch
fire the first time I try to start it! 😯
Thanks for the input!

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April 24, 2018 at 3:25 am #74625
Anonymous
You run the risk, if they break up the pieces will score the cylinders.
April 24, 2018 at 3:30 am #74626
Anonymous
My K35 has damage caused by the baffles, they broke out large pieces of the ports in the cylinder. That damage was very hard to repair, and the motor would not run until the missing chunks were replaced.
April 24, 2018 at 10:25 am #74632
davidk
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US Member - 2 Years
I think the different sized bolts you asked about are for mounting a steering bracket.
April 24, 2018 at 11:49 am #74635
Buccaneer
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Steering bracket makes sense. Someone did rig up a bracket and lever
to hook a throttle cable.

quote DavidK:

I think the different sized bolts you asked about are for mounting a steering bracket.

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April 24, 2018 at 11:52 am #74636
Buccaneer
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A good reminder that these old Johnsons should be tore down for
inspection every 80 years or so. 🙂

quote XR55:

My K35 has damage caused by the baffles, they broke out large pieces of the ports in the cylinder. That damage was very hard to repair, and the motor would not run until the missing chunks were replaced.

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April 24, 2018 at 3:38 pm #74657
squierka39
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The two studs are for the steering bracket, I think it was an option and many K50’s don’t have it. It’s an aluminum T shape with two holes to attach a steering rope to.
The anti backfire baffles, my K80 also has them and I was going to put them back but changed my mind. I was told by another member that today’s gas doesn’t backfire as easily, one reason, and Johnson omitted them around 1937, second reason. So if it’s good enough for Johnson to leave them out I’m leaving mine put.
As far as the rest of it, the motor itself and any issues are similar to your a80. Make sure the exhaust is clear, especially at the top of the tower and down the leg.
April 24, 2018 at 9:59 pm #74688
Buccaneer
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US Member
I guess I’ll "Flip a coin" when it comes time to put the anti backfire baffles back
in or not! I’m going to tear everything apart, if for no other reason just
to sand blast the grime off, so I’ll make sure the exhaust passages are
clear. Thanks.

quote SquierKA39:

The two studs are for the steering bracket, I think it was an option and many K50’s don’t have it. It’s an aluminum T shape with two holes to attach a steering rope to.
The anti backfire baffles, my K80 also has them and I was going to put them back but changed my mind. I was told by another member that today’s gas doesn’t backfire as easily, one reason, and Johnson omitted them around 1937, second reason. So if it’s good enough for Johnson to leave them out I’m leaving mine put.
As far as the rest of it, the motor itself and any issues are similar to your a80. Make sure the exhaust is clear, especially at the top of the tower and down the leg.

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